Battery-pintle assembly for a wrist watch

ABSTRACT

A battery-pintle assembly for connecting a wrist band to a wrist watch case containing an electrically actuatable timing mechanism, comprises a cylindrical battery engageable with one end of the watch band, with pintle pins extending outwardly of opposite ends of the battery for engagement with lugs of the watch case. The pintle pins can be permanent parts of the battery terminals or can be separate members. The pintle pins can be carried by a casing enclosing the battery or can be carried by a pintle tube removably disposed axially of the battery. The watch case has one or more lugs containing electrical connector means for electrically connecting pintle pins to the timing mechanism. The watch case can support two battery-pintle assemblies at opposite ends, with batteries arranged in a parallel electrical circuit. The wrist band can engage a battery-pintle assembly at either end or at both ends.

United States Patent Weschler [451 June 20, 1972 [541 BATTERY-PINTLE ASSEMBLY FOR A WRIST WATCH [72] Inventor: Milton E. Weschler, 47-27 Little Neck Parkway, Little Neck, NY. 11362 [22] Filed: March 10, 1971 [21] Appl.No.: 122,732

1,094,667 12/1960 Germany ..58/23 BA Primary Examiner-Stephen J. Tomsky Assistant Examiner-George H. Miller, Jr. Attorney-Polachek & Saulsbury [57] ABSTRACT A battery-pintle assembly for connecting a wrist band to a wrist watch case containing an electrically actuatable timing mechanism, comprises a cylindrical battery engageable with one end of the watch band, with pintle pins extending outwardly of opposite ends of the battery for engagement with lugs of the watch case. The pintle pins can be permanent parts of the battery terminals or can be separate members. The pintle pins can be carried by a casing enclosing the battery or can be carried by a pintle tube removably disposed axially of the battery. The watch case has one or more lugs containing electrical connector means for electrically connecting pintle pins to the timing mechanism. The watch case can support two battery-pintle assemblies at opposite ends, with batteries arranged in a parallel electrical circuit. The wrist band can engage a battery-pintle assembly at either end or at both ends.

10 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJum I972 3. 670 491 sum 1 or 2 INVENTOR.

MILTON E. WESCHLER r-'|e.2. W

A 7' TURNEYE BA'ITERY-PINTLE ASSEMBLY FOR A WRIST WATCH This invention relates to the art of battery powered wrist watches, and more particularly concerns a wrist watch having an external energy cell for driving the watch mechanism, combined with a pintle for holding a wrist band.

I-Ieretofore, wrist watches having internal batteries have had a number of objections. The mechanism in the watch case is made small enough to allow room for the battery or energy cell. This increases cost of manufacture and makes servicing difficult. The watch case in any event must be made large enough to accommodate the battery. The watch case must be opened to replace the battery when necessary which makes it possible for dust, moisture and foreign matter to enter. The battery cannot be replaced easily by the watch wearer, but can only be done by a skilled watch repairman. Special tools are required to open the watch and replace the battery.

The present invention is directed at overcoming the above and other difficulties and disadvantages of prior wrist watches driven by internal batteries, by providing an external battery or energy cell to drive the watch mechanism.

According to the invention, a wrist watch casing is provided with a battery-pintle assembly which can be used to connect a wrist band to the watch case. The watch case has a built-in electrical conductor which transmits electric power from the battery-pintle to the watch mechanism. One or two such battery-pintle assemblies can be provided.

The battery-pintle assembly is cylindrical in form and has spring loaded pintle pins at its ends which engage in lugs at ends of the watch case. The pintle pins can be manufactured as non-removable parts of the battery terminals or they can be separate members. The cylindrical battery can surround a removable pintle or it can be enclosed in a casing or cradle carrying the spring loaded pins.

By the arrangement described, the battery-pintle is located entirely external of the watch casing. The battery can be removed and replaced without opening the watch case. No special tools are required. The exclusion of the battery from the inside of the watch case makes it possible to design smaller watches, or to permit usage of larger watch mechanisms in a given size watch casing since no provision need be made for an internal battery.

Other and further features, objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken together with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a wrist watch, partially in section, provided with two battery-pintles according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a single battery-pintle as sembly.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view taken on line 44 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of another batterypintle assembly.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of parts of the assembly of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a further battery-pintle assembly.

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a wrist watch 10 having a flat case 11 containing a frame 12 within which is a timing mechanism including motor 14 driving a watch mechanism 15 that turns hour hand 16 and minute hand 17 around dial 18. The metal housing of the motor is electrically grounded to the metal watch case. The case is formed with two pairs of lugs 19, 20 and 21, 22 at opposite ends to which wrist band or strap 24 is removably attached.

To attach the wrist band, there is provided a pair of batterypintle assemblies 25, 25. Each assembly has spring loaded pintle pins 26, 28 and 26',28' at opposite ends. Pin 26 engages in recess or socket 30 in 19. Pin 28 engages in a metal socket 32 nested in an insulative cup 34 in recess 36 formed in lug 20.

An insulated conductor 38 extends through a bore 40 in lug 20 to the inside of the case and then extends through a bore 42 in frame 12. The conductor 38 terminates at a cap 44 which clips on terminal 46 of motor 14. The housing of the motor is conductive as above mentioned and is electrically connected in direct circuit with pin 26 via frame 12 and case 11.

Another insulated conductor 48 is also connected to cap 44. This conductor extends along groove 50 in frame 12, then through bore 52 in lug 22. There the conductor is connected to metal socket 53 in insulative cup 54 fitted in recess 56 in lug 22. Spring loaded pin 28' is engaged in socket 52 while opposite pin 26' is engaged in recess 30' in lug 21.

FIGS. 3 and 4 to which reference is now made shows details of the construction of battery-pintle assembly 25. Since both assemblies 25 and 25 are identical, only one assembly 25 need be described in detail. The assembly 25 has a cylindrical body defined by a tubular metal casing 60 in which is a filling of a suitable electrolyte 61. The casing is closed at end wall 62 which has a cylindrical cup-shaped reentrant portion 64 in which is fitted metal cup 66. This cup is part of a pintle. The cup contains a coil spring 68 bearing against flange 70 on the inner end of metal pin 26. The other end of casing 60 is closed by an insulative plug 72 in the center of which is fitted a metal cup 74 forming another part of a pintle. The cup contains coil spring 75 bearing against inner flange 76 of metal pin 28. By the arrangement described the pintle pins 26, 28 are loaded by springs 68 and 75 but can be retracted slightly for disengaging them from the lugs of the watch case. Pin 26 which is electrically in circuit with casing 60 serves as one terminal of the battery. When this assembly is installed on a watch case as shown in FIG. 1, it is entirely accessible for ready replacement without opening the watch case Loops 80 and 82 at ends of the watch band 24 engage on the respective battery-pintle assemblies 25, 25'.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate another battery-pintle assembly 25A in which battery 84 is enclosed in a casing or cradle 85. The casing 85 comprises to cylindrical cup-shaped parts 86, 88 detachably secured together by a circular tongue 89 and groove 90 in a snap fitting. Alternatively the two parts can be fitted together by screw attachment means. In any case the casing 85 receives cylindrical battery 84. In end wall 92 of casing part 86 is fitted a pintle part including cup 66'. This cup has a flange 94 which snaps into groove 95 in end wall 92. Coil spring 68 in cup 66 bears against flange 70 of pintle pin 26. Cup 74' of another pintle part has flange 91 engaged in groove 93 formed in end wall 96 of casing part 88. Spring 75 in cup 74' bears against flange 76 of pintle pin 28. The casing parts 86, 88 are made of flexible plastic material so that they can snap together at the tongue and groove 89, 90, and so that the pintle parts can snap into the end walls 92, 96.

Battery 84 has a cylindrical metal casing 98 in which is electrolyte 97. A central conductive core 99 extends outwardly of plug 100 for engagement in a recess 102 formed in the inner end of cup 74. By this arrangement the spring loaded pintle pins serve as electrical terminals of the battery. The battery is removable from casing 85 for replacement by disengaging casing parts 86, 88. This construction contrasts with that of assembly 25 where the pintle parts form parts of the battery. The battery and pintle parts of assembly 25 are removed as a unit when the battery needs replacement. The replacement battery assembly will have new pintle parts. In assembly 25A by contrast the same pintle parts and casing remain while the battery alone is replaced.

In FIGS. 7 and 8 is shown another battery-pintle assembly 25B in which pintle and battery are separate and separable members. The pintle has a tubular casing 112 in which is a coil spring 1 14 bearing on inner flanged ends of pins 26a, 28a. Pin 26a is a solid metal member. Pin 28a includes an insulative plug 114 having a recess in which pintle pin 28a is fitted.

Battery 120 has an outer tubular casing 122 and an inner tubular metal core 124. Core 124 receives pintle 110 axially in a snug friction fit. Casing 122 and core 124 are insulated from each other by insulative end plugs 126 and 128. An electrolyte 130 is enclosed in the battery. Casing 122 serves as one terminal of the battery and core 124 serves as the other terminal. Pintle pin 26a is directly in electric circuit with core 124 via pintle casing 112. Pintle pin 28a engages the coiled end 132 of a flexible wire 134. The other end of the wire is welded to casing 122 so that pintle pin 28a is in direct electric circuit with casing 122. A protective insulative ring 136 can be provided on plug 114. By the arrangement described, pintle pins 26a and 28a serve as terminals of the battery as well as end pivots of the pintle pin. The battery 120, which surrounds pintle 110, can easily be disengaged from the pintle 110 for replacement when necessary.

In all forms of the invention described, there is a cylindrical battery-pintle assembly which is mountable externally of a wrist watch case to engage a watch band or strap. The watch case can be arranged to mount one or two battery-pintle assemblies. Either one or the other assembly 25 or 25' can be omitted and replaced by a conventional pintle. In the arrangement of FIG. 1, the batteries of the two assemblies 25,25 are connected in parallel with each other to double the available electric energy. Any one of the assemblies 25A or 258 can be substituted for assembly 25 or 25'. The watch case never has to be opened for replacing a battery.

The invention makes it possible to design a watch case for a battery driven mechanism without the necessity of allowing room for an internal battery or design in the mechanism to work with an internal battery. A larger, more sturdy mechanism can thus be provided for a given size of watch case. The user has the convenience of being able to replace the batteries himself without requiring the services of a watch repairman. The hermetic sealing of the watch case remains intact and never has to be broken to replace a battery.

While a limited number of embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, it will be understood that many modifications are possible without departing from the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An assembly adapted for connecting a wrist band to a wrist watch case containing an electrically actuatable timing mechanism; comprising a cylindrical battery engageable at one end of the watch band; and spring loaded pintle pins extending outwardly of opposite ends of the battery for engagement with parts of said watch case, said battery maintaining an electrical potential between the pins for energizing and driving said timing mechanism in the watch case.

2. An assembly as defined in claim I, wherein the battery has terminals of opposite polarity; and spring containing pintle parts joined to and fomiing portions of said terminals respectively, said pintle pins being movably set in said pintle parts respectively in contact with the springs therein.

3. An assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the battery has an open central axial passage; a cylindrical pintle tube removably disposed in said passage; and a coil spring in said tube, said pintle pins being movably set in opposite ends of the tube in contact with opposite ends of said spring.

4. An assembly as defined in claim 1, further comprising a wrist band attachable at opposite ends thereof to said watch case, at least one end of the wrist band being formed to engage and removably enclose said cylindrical battery.

5. An assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said cylindrical battery has terminals of opposite polarity; a separate cylindrical body coaxial with the battery and carrying said pintle pins; and means electrically connecting said pins with the respective terminals of the battery.

6. An assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the battery has terminals of opposite polarity; a casing removably enclosing the battery; and spring containing pintle parts mounted at opposite ends of the casing, said pintle pins being movably set in said pintle parts in contact with the springs therein.

7. An assembly as defined in claim 6, wherein one of said pintle pins is connected in direct electric circuit with one terminal of the battery via one pintle part, and an electricalconductor connecting the other pintle pm in direct electric circuit with the other terminal of the battery.

8. An assembly as defined in claim 1, further comprising a wrist watch case containing a timing mechanism actuatable by applied electrical energy, said casing having lugs at opposite ends for engaging pairs of pintle pins therein; and an electrical connector in one lug at either end of said watch case connected electrically directly to said timing mechanism and arranged to receive and engage one of said pintle pins for electrically connecting one terminal of the battery to the timing mechanism.

9. An assembly as defined in claim 8, further comprising a wrist band having opposite ends formed to engage and removably enclose said cylindrical battery at either end of the wrist band.

10. An assembly as defined in claim 8, wherein said cylindrical battery has terminals of opposite polarity; and spring containing pintle parts joined to and forming portions of said ter minals respectively, said pintle pins being movably set in said pintle parts respectively in contact with the springs therein. 

1. An assembly adapted for connecting a wrist band to a wrist watch case containing an electrically actuatable timing mechanism; comprising a cylindrical battery engageable at one end of the watch band; and spring loaded pintle pins extending outwardly of opposite ends of the battery for engagement with parts of said watch case, said battery maintaining an electrical potential between the pins for energizing and driving said timing mechanism in the watch case.
 2. An assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the battery has terminals of opposite polarity; and spring containing pintle parts joined to and forming portions of said terminals respectively, said pintle pins being movably set in said pintle parts respectively in contact with the springs therein.
 3. An assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the battery has an open central axial passage; a cylindrical pintle tube removably disposed in said passage; and a coil spring in said tube, said pintle pins being movably set in opposite ends of the tube in contact with opposite ends of said spring.
 4. An assembly as defined in claim 1, further comprising a wrist band attachable at opposite ends thereof to said watch case, at least one end of the wrist band being formed to engage and removably enclose said cylindrical battery.
 5. An assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said cylindrical battery has terminals of opposite polarity; a separate cylindrical body coaxial with the battery and carrying said pintle pins; and means electrically connecting said pins with the respective terminals of the battery.
 6. An assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the battery has terminals of opposite polarity; a casing removably enclosing the battery; and spring containing pintle parts mounted at opposite ends of the casing, said pintle pins being movably set in said pintle parts in contact with the springs therein.
 7. An assembly as defined in claim 6, wherein one of said pintle pins is connected in direct electric circuit with one terminal of the battery via one pintle part, and an electrical conductor connecting the other pintle pin in direct electric circuit with the other terminal of the battery.
 8. An assembly as defined in claim 1, further comprising a wrist watch case containing a timing mechanism actuatable by applied electrical energy, said casing having lugs at opposite ends for engaging pairs of pintle pins therein; and an electrical connector in one lug at either end of said watch case connected electrically directly to said timing mechanism and arranged to receive and engage one of said pintle pins for electrically connecting one terminal of the battery to the timing mechanism.
 9. An assembly as defined in claim 8, further comprising a wrist band having opposite ends formed to engage and removably enclose said cylindrical battery at either end of the wrist band.
 10. An assembly as defined in claim 8, wherein said cylindrical battery has terminals of opposite polarity; and spring containing pintle parts joined to and forming portions of said terminals respectively, said pintle pins being movably set in said pintle parts respectively in contact with the springs therein. 